Job Discussion Forums

[canuck]

I challenge all the English teachers in Japan to send something to help the people in Niigata. Let's do our part, as we'd hope they'd do the same. I got this information from the ELT Newsletter.

I'm sending some non-perishable food iteams and donating 10,000 yen to help. I challenge all English teachers to match my donation.
From the newsletter:

Nature Wreaking Havoc on Schools
287 schools were damaged in the recent earthquakes that weere centered in Niigata prefecture. The total also includes schools in neighboring Gunma and Yamagata prefectures. The full extent of damage is still being assessed by the education ministry. 235 schools in Niigata alone took the precaution of closing on Monday. Aftershocks are expected to continue throughout the week.

Meanwhile in Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures, dozens of elementary and junior high schools reopened yesterday after being closed by flooding caused by Typhoon No.23 last week. On their first day back, students attended homeroom classes and helped clean their schools. Many are still staying in temporary accommodation after being evacuated from their homes.

The post office will send emergency relief packages to Niigata for free if you send them to the Nagaoka City Hall at:

940-8501
Niigata-Ken, Nagaoka-Shi
Sawai-machi, 2-Chome 1-1
Nagaoka Shiyakusho
Saigai Taisaku Honbu

DIRECTIONS:

(1) How and What to send:
Items other than cash and which do not require special handling (no
cool items or fragile items)

** Cash can be sent to other locations -- see this HP for details:
http://www.japanpost.jp/pressrelease/japanese/kawase/041025j303.html

Relief Items (clothing, blankets)
Non-perishable food
Daily amenities (diapers, alcohol spray, towels, saran wrap, tampons)
School items
Newspapers
Magazines
Etc.

** Must be packed in a "small package (KOTSUTSU YUUBIN BUTSU)" sized
box. Again, no special handling (no cool storage, etc.)

** Please pack only new items and one type of item in each box
(e.g., a box of drinking water, OR a box of food, OR a box of daily
amenities-- do not mix them together)

** Please refrain from sending the following:
- Used underwear or used blankets (even laundered)
- Fresh or perishable foods (no onigiri, etc.)


LABELING REQUIREMENTS:
** Please mark as KYUUENJO YOU ("For Emergency Relief")
** Please label contents CLEARLY on outside of package


OTHER CONDITIONS:
** Sender may not request specific distribution of goods
(as in sending to a specific person, village or group.)
** Items may not be sent to gain profit.
** Packages to individuals are not eligible for this service.

The free shipping is only until November 24.

[Mike L.]

Sent 10kgs of rice and some furikaki after I read your post!

I figure staples are pretty versatile and can be shared by many or given to one family.

Just saw on the news, quite a few people still lviing outside as the very old and young get priority in public facilites likes gyms and schools.

There's definitely a need!

[canuck]

Mike, good on you. 107 views and you're the only one so far that acted. A little disappointing so far. Hopefully people will follow through in the next few days. It's for a worthy cause. These people could use all the help they can get.

[denise]

Just because people haven't responded to your post doesn't mean they haven't acted. My school has its own collection box, to which I will contribute today, and just yesterday we had a bloodmobile here, and my two afternoon classes were basically cancelled because most of the students wanted to give blood.

d

[King Kong Bundy]

Yesterday, I sent 20,000 yen, but I don't have time to send food!

[canuck]

Awesome. Keep it coming people!

[c99ux]

Just a word of caution:
Who gets the cash that people send? Definitely not the people who are suffering.
If you want to send something, make it something that immediately benefits the people there.
If you don't have time, but have some cash, give it to your students and ask them to buy blankets, food, water, then take it to the post office for you. Or use the whole excersise as a lesson subject.

[Mike L.]

Anyone else?

[J.]

Here are a few other options. There is a telephone number you can call for victims of the earthquake, 100 yen per call. I don't know specifically who gets the money but my students recommended it. I called it this morning. You just dial and listen to some Japanese announcements and when it rings and you hear a recording, you can hang up. If someone speaks good Japanese they may be able to call and provide more information.
The number is: 0990-53-5000


You can also donate at the Post Office to the Japanese Red Cross Society.
Account name: Japanese Red Cross Society Niigata
Account number: 00530-2-2000
Write : "Niigata Jishin" in the comments space. Apparently there is no processing fee.

Boxes set up in convenience stores:
Family Mart, Lawson, and Seven Eleven
( Information curtesy of my Tengu Natural Foods newsletter ).

[c99ux]

I forgot to mention that ALL MAIN POST OFFICES will send the parcels for free.

[Eleckid]

I live close to my city hall, & they got red cross ppl there with donation boxes boothes. You just go & put in your donations in an envelope which they provide, then drop it into the box. Very easy. They've been up for the past few weeks, so I think they're there everyday for the time being.